The locomotives were built at
General Electric's Erie works in 1947, and were numbered 5018 and 5019. They were powered by 2 W-1
motor-generators, with a total 5,000 horsepower (3.7 MW) , and at that time were the largest single-unit electric locomotives used in North America. The engines share a great resemblance to the
Little Joe locomotive.
Both locomotives were retired in August 1956 when the electrification system was switched off and diesel locomotives started operating. Unit 5019 was scrapped in 1959. Unit 5018 was sold to the
Union Pacific, who used its body and running gear as part of the unsuccessful
experimental coal burning turbine-electric locomotive #80. It was eventually scrapped in 1968.
Keyes, Norman C. Jr.; Middleton, Kenneth R. (Autumn 1980). "The Great Northern Railway Company: All-Time Locomotive Roster, 1861–1970". Railroad History. 143 (143). Boston, Mass.: Railway and Locomotive Historical Society: 117.
ISSN0090-7847.
JSTOR43523930.